The aim of tuis study was to adapt and validate two scales of empathy to be used in Brazil. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index of Davis (EMRI, in Portuguese) has three subscales: emotional (CE), cognitive (CG), and behavioral (CC) components of empathy. Bryant's Empathy Scale for Children and Adolescents (EECA, in Portuguese) has 22 items. Thirty-two hundred adolescents, high and low SES, 14 to 16 years old, both sexes, of public and private schools of João Pessoa/PB and Porto Alegre/RS were evaluated. The reliability analysis of the subscales showed EMRI alpha= 0,75, CE alpha= 0,67, CG alpha= 0,63, CC alpha= 0,54, and EECA alpha= 0,74, which are considered adequate, and recommend the research use of Portuguese version in Brazil. Convergent validity was found among the EECA scale, CG, CA, and CC subscales of EMRI.
empathy; affect; cognition; behavior
